Two UN peacekeepers are in hospital after coming under fire from the Israeli military.

A watchtower at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura was hit by IDF tank fire, causing the pair to fall.

While their injuries are not serious, they have been hospitalised. It comes after the United Nations said the Israeli military had fired on a bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and had deliberately disabled cameras outside the UNIFIL HQ.

A UN statement said: "Recent escalation along the Blue Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in south Lebanon, while rockets continue to be launched towards Israel, including civilian areas. In the past days we have seen incursions from Israel into Lebanon in Naqoura and other areas. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers have clashed with Hizbullah elements on the ground in Lebanon.

Read More:

"UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit.

"This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital.

"IDF soldiers also fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system. An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance.

"Yesterday, IDF soldiers deliberately fired at and disabled the position’s perimeter-monitoring cameras. They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, where regular Tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting and a relay station.

"We remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701.

"We are following up with the IDF on these matters."

Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris said Irish Defence Forces, who are serving with Unifil in the region, were not among those affected.

He said: "We send our solidarity to the military personnel who suffered light injuries as a result.

"The members of the Irish Defence Forces serving with Unifil, both in Camp Shamrock and in posts close to the Blue Line, were not involved and remain well. They are continuing to carry out their mission with distinction, despite the extremely difficult circumstances.

"Firing on peacekeepers can never be tolerated or acceptable.

“The Blue Helmet worn by UN peacekeepers must be sacrosanct.

“They are serving on behalf of the international community in some of the most challenging places in the world. They are not combatants, and their role must be respected at all times.

“I again call on all sides for an immediate ceasefire which can facilitate full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and provide security to civilian populations in Israel and Lebanon.”